Sewing machine



sept. 11, `1945.

N. F. TowNsEND Erm.

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1942 2l sxieets-shet 1 INVENToRs /Varmqn ETownsend wnc/s l? Wymburro N. F. TowNsEND r-:TAL

SEWING MACHIE sept. 11, 1945.

Filed May 2B, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 11, 19452,384,5oaffeg i SEWING v Norman F. Townsend, Port Chester, and Francis4P. Tamburro, Ozone Park,.N. Y., assignors to f Willcox &' Gibbs SewingMachine Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Ne `w YorkAApplication May 2s, isiaseriaiNo. 444,852

This invention relates `to sewing .machinesand especially to featurerelatingfto the lubrication thereof. i

It is an object of the invention to provide a sewing machine in whichready access may be had for the jc isassembly and/or Av repair of L5vision of a sump adaptedto be clamped and. maintained relative to anopening in a'sewing machine frame in a very effective manner; a cover orcap plate serving to ectively maintain a lter or seepage member inproper association with the sump and with a conduit extending to 'thesump; simple and'eectivenieans' for Sacilltating a visual'determ'inationof thelubri cant level in the sump; means serving toprevent the adverseescapev of lubricantbetween the sewing machine frame and a removablesump associated therewith; and means serving to"pro' vide for the readyand unimpeded Vliow of ltered lubricant into a conduit extending to thesump.

Other objects, features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings: Figurel is a fragmentary view, partly in sec,-Y

tion, of a depending and lower arm portion of a i sewing machine frame,taken substantiallyon the line I-l of Fig. 3. l Y

Fig. 2 is a detailviewshowing a cap'or cover member the combinationembodying the present invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken onthe line 3-3ofFig.4. y f

Fig. 4 is a top view of the sump. f 1 Fig. 5 is a sectional view takenon the line 57-'5 ofFig.3. Fig'. 6 is a sectional view takenonthe line6-6 ofFig. 3. Fig. 7 is a sectional view, similar yto Fig. '3, butshowing` a modication yof' the 'present invention;

lwhich willhereinafter appear, include the pro-f` i tional 'View takenon the line 8-8 fliiig'qg.; .-"rr I "'-The' presentVinventionisapplicable-to sewing machines of-"divers'types, but itlisparticularly-'advantageou's' when `'applied to a`sewing machine of thetypevdisclosed in thev Arthur A. MerrittlrPatent 1,041,652 :andinourcopending application Serial. No. 309,362, .led December 15,41939,-now Patent No. 2,299,439, granted October 2,f1942..; f

- :i Thus," referring lmoreparticularly to the draw-v ings,'1iandrsti'to Figs. 1-6, there. is'shown for thel purpose oi` illustratingVtheinv'ention a portionaofasew'ingfmachine-of the above-mentioned .typeincluding a mainframe 2| with a depending hollwzarm. portion 22 in whichare located operatinginstrumentalities23; and. to which, as by-aplura'lity of bolts' Zilfand 25, isI secured av lower .armr portion26* in z which other operating instrumentalities, notshown, are located.Reference is -made to: .our copending` 'application Yand totheArthur 1A.Merritt patent, botnreferredto above, lfora more complete understanding`of ,the detailsoi' general'construction and operation of asewingmachineof the type shown izo-illustrate 'the rpresent invention. OI'importance, it'istol benoted that av cut out or opening 2l is providedin the under part 4of* 'thei end :orthe lower-'arm 2o underlying thedepending: vportion 221 irom;which there extends aiconduit .28 leading;as" shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1,! .to 'a' suita'ol'e.- lubricantpump P, and fron'iithencethrougn a duct D, toy diversoperatinginstrumentalities to be lubricated such, for example, -as 'theoperatinginstrumentanties 23 irr the `depending arm. Amore completeillustration" oi' the relation of.- a` conduit such as the conduit 28,Ito lthe lubricating-system ola sewing machlneisprovided 'in ourraten'tNo. 2,289,- 439. and reierenc'e-''thei'etoisV here made.

Servingfas la'closurefplate for the opening 21 in.tne1lowera'rm is asumpf which, as shown, is trouglnikein shape, and has side walls r3u andSI1 and an4 outer end wall 32', adapted -to en-v velope the 'endportionof the `lower-arm around ythe-openingfan'dto, extend-'upwardlybeyond the juncture of the depending and "lower arms as best-shown inFigs# l and' *At its inner end 33, wnichfis open" and which underliestheiower arm at a location spaced to the left of the lower arm 'opening'as view'edfih Fig. 3, the-suxnp is formed with 'channel or groove 34therein adapted to receive f a 'gasket 3 5' v jf c ork orY othersuitable material, :an'dpress vor rseat the* latter snugly againstthebottom'and sides of the lower arm and thus provide an effective sealagainst the escape of lubricant at that point. Preferably, and as shown,the upper ends of the channel at opposite sides of the sump, terminatein gasket conning walls 36.

Advantageously and as shown a flared portion 31 of the lower arm,terminating at its free end contiguous opening 21 in a rib 38, isformedto oppose in spaced relation an inclined portion 39 of the sumpextending from the channeled in-V ner end 33, whichconstitutes a sealingsection, to a bottom portion 40 thereof underlying the lower armopening.

Formed on the outer end posite sides, are two pairs of riblike lugs 4|and 42, having upper seating surfaces spaced down,-

wardly from the upper extremity of the outerk vvvalljrf o! andprojecting toward the interim-,thereof at op y' pushed downwardly inposition it is snugly held in place, serves as a means for maintainingthe filter 53 clamped tightly against the bottom portion of the sump,and forms with the filter and with the bottom portion of the sump anenclosed lubricant chamber 56 from which is effectively excluded dirtand other foreign/matter which would' impair the effectiveness of thelubricant. Moreover, to facilitate the iiow of lubricant into vtheconduit 28, the latter is formed with an angularly extending sideopening 28' at the free end thereof.

' Also'of importance,V and as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2, the coverplate 54 is formed with a depending nger 58 adapted to rest on thebottom portion 40'o'f the sump adjacent a glass closed end wall 32 andadapted to underlie and engage seatingsurfaces 43 and 4,4,.ofa1luglikeformation 45 at the outer end wall of the lower ar m- ,And, ofimportance,` intermediate the pairsof riblike lugs 4Iand i42, and thechannelled inner end 33 thereis provided a clamping means by which thesump. maybe Vdrawn firmly into a clamped and secured position relativeto the lower arm and eiectively close .the lower arm opening.

This `clamping means, vas shown, includesa pair of bolts 41 and 48respectively passed upwardly throughthe bottonnof the sump, throughapair of suitably bored upstanding lugs 49 and 50 and into .threadedbores in .a pair of lugs 5I and 52 kformed on opposite sides of andextending laterally towards the interiorv of the lower arm 26 adjacentthe openingll. .With this construction, it will be readily appreciated,when the bolts 41 and are tightened, the channeled innerend 33 of thesump, constituting the sealing section thereof, is drawn upwardly withthe riblikelugs t preciated that. the upward extending .side and outerend walls 39, 3| and 32 respectively, provide effective barriers againstthe adverse escape of lubricant.k .A

It will be understood thatas in our Patent No. 2,299,439, lubricant fromthe lower and depend.- ing arms will be collected in the sump. It isintended in the operation of the lubricatingsystem of a sewing machineembodying the present in,- vention that thelubricant pump and the oilsupply be so regulated that the level of lubricant in the sump shall bemaintained in a. position no higher than and preferably somewhat belowthe channeled inner end 33 of the sump. Y

In order thatthe lubricant Vcollected in the sump may be properlyfiltered before being drawn back tothe lubricant pump anddistributed tooperating instrumentalities, a generally cylindf dricallter 53 of felt;orthe like is disposed to rest on the bottom portion!!! of the, sump andto extend upwardly around and be spacedlaterally from thelubricantconduit 2,8.,Y And, of importance, ythere ris provided ,a coverplate 54, having a hole 55 therein for receiving and closely sightopening 59 provided in the side wall of the sump. This linger 58, whichadvantageously may be colored to readily contrast with the lubricant,thus serves not only as a stop or support :or the coverV plate, but alsoserves as Va lubricant level indicating gage which may be observedthrough the sight opening. If desired, and as shown in Fig. 2, suitableindicia may be provided on the finger to further facilitate the readydeterminationv ofthe' lubricant in the sump.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a modified form oi' the invention isshown, which in'allparticulars except as pointed out hereinafter, is exactlyV the same asthat formof the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 6 and described above.V Y

This modified form of the invention diilers from the form iirstdescribed in providing' a construction wherein the gasket at theinner'end of the' sump may be eliminated andyet a very effectivebarrierprovided against the adverse escape oflubricant at that point.

Thus, with the modified form, the sump is formed with a modined openinner end Bl! formed, instead of with a gasketereceiving channel,l witha ange 6| `projecting toward the lower arm, and adapted tobe receivedbetween a pair ofA beads 82 and 83formed on and extending under and upthe sides ofthe lower arm. As in the case of the construction firstdescribed, when the clamping means istightened the inner end of the sumpis drawn firmly toward the lower arm. Thus, in

, the modified form, when the clamping up operconfining the conduit 28,and adapted to overlie the filter 53. Y n y Advantageously, andas shownbest in Figs. 2 and 4,this cover plate 54 is so shaped and provportionedperimetrically that it snugly fits inpthat portion of the sump laterallydefined by the pairs of riblikelugs 4| and 42,v and bythe upstandinglugs 49 and 50. Thus, when the cover plate is ation is completed theflange 6| is disposedand securely held in position between the beads 62and B3 on the lower arm. 'Advantageously and as shown, a plurality ofspaced projections' 54, G5 andv 66 are formed on the flange 6| todirectly engage the lower arm and tend to insureY a uniform or equallydistributed seating relationship of the inner end of the sump andthelower arm. With the modied construction, it is thus seen, and as shownbest in Fig. 7, the lower arm bead 63 interiorly of the sump, serves asa baille to lubricant mist within the sump. Similarly the iiange5|,projectons64, 65 and 66 and bead 62 serve as bafiles to the lubricantmist." And, since the lubricant is maintain'edat a level below the innerend of the sump, asY by proper control of thelubricant pump and supply,there is no danger of a mass ow of lubricant past the bailles abovedescribed and apractcal seal against the escape of` lubricant isprovided. n

Importantly, with each of the illustrated forms of the invention it isto be noted that the' upper faces of the lugs 49 and 50 associated withthe clamping bolts, are disposed upwardly above the intended maximumlevelI of lubricant in the sump so that lubricant cannot adversely seepdown the bolt holes therein alongithe bolts and. out of the bottom ofthe sump'.v4 I n 1 i' l Hence with both illustrated `forms of theinvention, a lubricant sump is provided, whichis adapted to be readilyremoved or replaced relative to an opening in a sewing machine frame tofacilitate access to devices in the frame; which is adapted toeffectively prevent the adverse escape of lubricant; which supports' andincludes in organizational association therewith advantageous lubricantltering, shielding and indicating means; and which cooperates withspecial interrelated means and a conduit for conducting'lubri: cant to apump and divers operating instrumen,- talities, in providing` alubricant chamber effectively guarding against the associationoiioreignmatter with the lubricant to be drawn into the conduit.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having an opening; acover plate for said opening having a portion thereof forming a pivotsection for engaging the frame and a sealing section spaced therefrom;and clamping means disposed intermediate said pivot and sealing sectionsfor causing the cover plate to pivot about the pivot section and movethe sealing section into sealing relation with the frame.

2. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having an opening andat least one boltreceiving means within the eld of said opening; a coverplate for said opening having a portion thereof forming a pivot sectionfor engaging the frame, a sealing section spaced from the pivot sectionand a bolt-receiving section; and bolt means in said bolt-receivingsection for causing the cover plate to move about the pivot section tobring the sealing section into sealing relation with the frame.

3. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having an opening; asump for covering said opening; securing means for the sump disposedonly intermediate the ends of said sump for clamping the sump to theframe; a lubricant conduit; a seepage member of brous material restingin said sump and surrounding said conduit; and a plate having a portaccommodating said conduit and covering said seepage member, said platebeing held against inward movement and pressing the seepage member intoengage ment with the bottom of the sump when the securing means movesthe sump into clamping relation with the frame.

4. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having an opening; asump member having a pivot section for engaging the frame and a spacedseal section with a generally upwardly facing channel; a gasket in saidchannel; and means disposed intermediate said sections adapted toconcurrently move said sump member about the pivot section and to clampthe gasket between the frame and the channel in the seal section of thesump.

5. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having an opening; aclosure plate for said opening, providing a lubricant sump; opposedseating portions on said plate and said frame, located adjacent one endof said plate; a pair of clamping members extending through said closureplate: and into. association.-withsaidY frame; said. members: beingLflocated :fintermediate-,soppof-L site ends of said plate; .supportingv1ugsfior;;said members,- on-said=closureiplate 'a 'conduit for.conducting lubricant from .said sump to an operating instrumentality insaidrframe; a lter in` said sump encirclingsaid1conduit.;.,and a coverplate, overlyingsaid filter and through .which saidconduit extends,wedged in said sump intermediate said supporting lugs andtheseating-.portionsfat Oneend thereof, 1 i., i

6,. vIn a. sewingmachine the combination of 1,a frame havi1 1 ganopening.in the under `portion thereof :et zone end; a froughlikeclosure, 1.11am-, ber, providing alubricant sump, and having a closed,outer and anopen inner end,said.closed endwvextending lupwardlytooverlap said frame adjacent said'fopening;rjseatingl,means on saidvclosure member, `adjacent*said-closed endl and spaced downwardly fromthe' upper extremity thereof for .engaging the frame; means on saidframe, opposed to said seating means; and screw means, disposed withinsaid sump intermediate said seating means and inner end for holding saidclosure plate to said frame and for moving said closure plate with saidseating means as a pivot to draw said open inner end up into clampingrelationship with said frame.

7. In a sewing machine for combination of a main frame having a sumpwith a transparently closed sight opening therein; a. conduit extendingto said sump; a iilter member in said sump, encircling said conduit; acover plate on said filter and through which said conduit extends; and adepending linger on said plate, visible through said sight opening,supporting said plate relative to said sump and adapted to serve as gageof the level of lubricant in said sump.

8. In a sewing machine the combination of a main frame having a sumpwith a wall; a conduit extending to said sump, for conducting oil to anoperating instrumentality in said frame; a filter member on said wall insaid sump, encircling said conduit; a cover plate on said iilter andthrough which said conduit extends, defining with said wall and filter aforeign matter excluding chamber for lubricant for said conduit; and adepending finger on said plate for engaging and supponting the latterrelative to said sump.

9. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having a sump with awall and having a transparently closed sight opening therein; a conduitfor lubricant, extending to said sump; a lter member on said wall insaid sump,y encircling said conduit; a cover plate on said iilter andthrough which said conduit extends; and a depending iinger on saidplate, visible through said sight opening, of a color contrasting withthat of the lubricant, and adapted to facilitate the determination ofthe level of lubricant in said sump.

10. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame having an opening; asump adapted to close said opening, having a closed'outer and an openinner end; opposed seating means on said frame and sump adjacent theouter end of the latter; a bead on said frame; a ange on said inner end,adapted to overlap said bead; and clamping means for drawing said sumprelative to said frame, with said opposed seating means in engagementand forming a pivot and with said flange clamped to said frame and inoverlapping relation with respect to said bead.

11. In a sewing machine the combination of a frame with an openingtherein; a sump adapted toclose said opening,A said sump having a seat.-ing section and a clamping section spaced beads on said'frame; a flangeon said clamping section; and means in said sump intermediate saidseating and clamping sections; for drawing said sump relative to saidframe and moving the clamping section about the seating section as apivot and clamping the ange to? said framev intermediate said beads. Y Yi' f 5 12. In a sewing machine the 'combination of a. frame with vanopening therein; a sump adapted to close said opening, said sump havingaseating section and a clamping section; a bead on said frame; aplurality of spaced projections on said clamping section', projectingtowards said frame; and means 4in the sump intermediate said seating andclamping seotionshfor drawing said sump about the seating ,section andrelative to said frame with said projections clamped rela-A tive to saidframe and in overlapping relation with respect to said bead.

13. In a sewing machine, the combination of a. frame having an openingin the under portion thereof at one end; a troughlike closure member forsaid opening having a closed outer end extending upwardly to overlapsaid frame adjacent said opening and an open inner end, said troughlikeclosing member providing a lubricant sump for the machine,v the closuremember having inwardly projecting means on its closed .end for engagingthe bottom oithe frame; and draft means intermediate the inner and outerends for causing the closure member to pivot about the closed end andmove the open end into abutting sealing relation with the underside ofthe frame. y

NORMAN F. TOWNSEND. FRANCIS P. TAMBURRO.

